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SEARCHAt the 2023 Florida Association of Governmental Fleet Administrators Fall Conference Government Fleet asked fleet leaders three questions: What are challenges you are facing? What goals are you working toward? And what is your advice for other fleets?
Here are some highlights from the responses.
Click here for a more in-depth breakdown of where these fleets are and the goals everyone is working toward.
“Infrastructure is the big thing, trying to get all of that set up, which is pretty costly. It's not something that can happen overnight. Set up for electrification because it's coming and I think it’s here to stay.” — Steven Hudson, Fleet Maintenance Manager, City of Gainesville
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“Challenges that we’re dealing with now are trying to bridge the gap between standard ICE and electric vehicles. We’re trying to figure out what situation works best for us and we're seeing how we can adapt and move forward for the future. Right now we’re trying to stand up our own shop and not lend out to a third party. We want to get on board with electric vehicles that are headed our way.” — Chris Hart, Fleet Senior Manager, Port Tampa Bay
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“Watch your vehicles’ life, as hard as it is to come by new vehicles these days make sure you plan well in advance to purchase those vehicles before they get too far gone. You’ve got to have a replacement program in place. order early and expect them to take two years to get here.” — Robert Biller, Fleet Management Director, Polk County
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“We have lots of challenges. The first I would say is a parts shortage then also vehicle manufacturers producing vehicles on time…One of our goals is to have all of our vehicles 100% alternative fuel by the year 2030.” — Jonathan Ford, Fleet Division Manager, City of Orlando
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“Come to FLAGFA and other organizations like this, network, develop a circle of people you can lean on when you need advice and need to pick up tips and tricks.” — Sean Williams, Central Services Director, Collier County Sheriff’s Office
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“We’re missing the information from manufacturers regarding product availability, how allocations will affect our ordering and, to some degree, we’re missing representation with the transition that’s going on in the market…We need that representation from the factory to keep us informed, helping us plan for the future, that’s the biggest challenge. It’s not today, it’s two to three years from now. Are we going to have the right information to give the right guidance to our administration?” — Tim Coxwell, Fleet Director, Leon County Sheriff’s Office
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“The challenges that we face right now are really with the availability and timeliness of equipment. It’s getting a bit better but of course, with Covid and supply chain issues, it definitely has posed a great challenge for us and that remains true today. And hearing from suppliers and vendors and manufacturers, it will continue to be like that through at least the next year and a half.” — Dave Persad, Director of Fleet Management and Mobility, City of Boynton Beach
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“Be patient and hopefully what we’re facing right now within the industry it's something that is going to pass. And focus on maximizing utilization of equipment across the board of departments and train your technicians and train people on the new technology that’s in the market right now.” — Roddy Gomez, Fleet Manager, Miami Dade Water & Sewer
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“One of the biggest things we’re working on is our working conditions and retooling the shop. We’re also making sure the fleet is maintained properly and that we have a good working relationship with everyone.” — Tim Lamb, Fleet Manager, City of Panama City
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“Make sure that you have a good contact with the manufacturers and your parts suppliers and with your vendors because they're the ones that are going to help you out when the times are tough in order to get you what you need.” — Brent Degel, Fleet Administrator, Polk County Sheriff's Office
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“Being able to procure vehicles right now, that's the biggest challenge…Hang on to what you have, refurbish what you have because you can’t get the vehicles. Make sure things are done right.” — Brian Carroll, Fleet Manager, Canaveral Port Authority
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“Finding good techs is another challenge and taking care of your technicians and being able to get them on board with everything you’re trying to do is a big thing…the better you treat your employees the more they’ll do for you.” — Forrest Hall, Fleet Operations Manager, City of Pompano Beach
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“My advice for other fleets would be to hang on to your good people, and find good people. It’s very tough out there. Prior to management, I turned wrenches for 25 years and trying to find good mechanics is really tough these days.” — Steven Dewey, Section Manager running the Fleet Maintenance Division, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
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Right now getting vehicles is number one, and lately we’ve had a lot of trouble recruiting good technicians…be patient, and don't give up, it’ll get better; work hard, persevere.” — Gary McLean, Fleet Manager, City of Lakeland
Photo: Government Fleet
Photo: Government Fleet
